Electric igniting apparatus for explosive-engines.



No. 694,409. Patented Mar. 4, I902.

' S. F. NEILL.

ELECTRIC IGNITING APPARATUS FOR EXPLOS IVE ENGINES.

(Application filed Feb. 26, 1901.) "011W E a Sheets-$heet l.

- Patented Mar. 4, I902.

S. F. NEILL. ELECTRIC IGNIT ING APPARATUS FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

, (Application filed Feb. 26, 1901.)

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

[NVENTOR MQAl'M M- F WITNESSES: jfimg z 0,694,499. y Patented Mar.4,1902,

S. F. NEILL. an ELECTRIC IGNITING APPABAT US'FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.-

(Applicnltion filed Feb. 26, 1901. (No Model.) a 3Sl 1eei s-$heet 3.

INVENTOR n: NORRIS wzw'zns couword-uman WASHINGTON. o. c.

r UNITED- STATES PATENT 7 OFFICE.

" SAMUEL F. ILL,oF BRADFORD, PENNSYLVANIA.

fELECTRIQ 'IGNI TING APPARATUS FOR EXPLQSlVE-ENGINES.

SPEOIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 694,409, .dated. March4,1902.

Application filed February 26, 1"901. Serial No. 48,986.

To aZZ whom it may concern.- Be it known thatl, SAMUEL F. N EILL, acitizen of the United States, residing at Bradford, in the county ofMcKean and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful'Improvements in Electric Igniting Apparatus forExplosive-Engines; and I- do hereby declare the following to be a fu1l,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to'which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention. relates to improvements in electric firing apparatus forexplosive-engines; and consists in the novel features of constructionhereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,which illustrate one form in which I have contemplated embodying myinvention, and said elevation of the magneto-machine, the timingplate,the spark coil, and the igniter. Fig. 2 is an end view of the magi 1eto,showing diagrammatically the winding of the field-coils. Fig. 3 is adiagram showing'the circuits and the switch, and Fig. 4 is amodification of the form of governor.

In operating explosive-engines it has been difficult to obtain a sparksufficient to ignite the first charge in the cylinder on account of thelow speed at which the engine is running at that time inthe operation.The armature of the magneto-machine does not cut the field of force ofthe permanent magnetic poles at sufficient rate f speed to generate therequired current. It is the object of thisinven tion to obviate thisdisadvantage and also to have the spark sufficient at all times toignite the charge.

I Another object of this invention is to construct the circuit-breakerso as to retain the circuit closed through a greater part of the enginescycle and also to provide means whereby the time of sparking may bechanged. The usual form of magneto employed for furnishing a current forsparking explosiveengines is the form used in this device. A

represents the permanent field magnet or magnets of thismagneto-machine, and B the armature secured upon the shaft 0, which isrotatably mounted on the field-magnet in the increase the magnetismthereof.

(N0 model.)

bearings a a and carries the centrifugal governor D. i

E is a ring loosely mounted upon the movable portion F of the governorD. To this ring E' is swiveled one end of the lever G, which isfulcrumed on the arm I-I, secured to the bearing a. Upon the free end ofthe lever G is a brush-switch g, mounted thereon in such a' manner thatthe brush 9 will engage the segmental contact-piece I and when operatedupon its fulcrum II will engage successively the blocksi, '5, t t and iAround the two poles of the permanent magnet A are the field-coils J J,which are connected in series with the armaturethrough the brush Z) bymeans of the lead I) and are wound on said fields in a direction whichwill Between the brush 1) and the fields and in the'lead b a shuntrwireb is inserted, leading to the segmental contact-piece I, for a purposehereinafter described. The outleading wire I) from the fields isconnected to the bindingpost Z of the primary coil of the spark-coil L.Upon any suitable shaft M of the engine is mounted the make-and-breakcontact-cam N. The cam is constructed so that it retains the circuitclosed through a greater part of the revolution of the shaft M. This isbrought about by making a short break m in the periphery of said cam.Loosely mounted upon the same shaft with said cam is an adjustable plate0, provided with a concentric slot 0. A wing-headed bolt 0' passesthrough the slot 0 and engages a screw-threaded opening in theframework. This slot and wing-head ed bolt will serve as a means ofadjusting said plate around the shaft, and thus change the time of thespark;

Mounted upon the plate 0 and secured to the binding-post 0 is aspring-arm 0 provided with a foot 0 which normally bears upon theperiphery of said cam N. A binding-post p is also mounted on said plateand carries an adjustable contact-point p. This point p is in the formof a screw and bears directly against the spring-arm 0 thus creating atension on the same. The binding-post p is electrically connected withthe outleading binding-post Z of the primary-coil of the spark-coil L.The other binding-post 0 is connected by the wire 0 with the brush 1) ofthe magneto-machine. The two wires b and I) connect the secondary coilof the sparkcoil L with an igniterin this instance a jump spark-igniterX, which is arranged in the engine-cylinder.

Wound on the poles of the field-magnet A are additional coils, fourbeing shown in the drawings, j, j, j and These coils are wound on eachpole in a contrarydirection to that in which the coils J J are wound andhence have a tendency to demagnetize the poles when the current passesthrough them. Referring to the diagram shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings,four demagnetizing-coils 7,3", 7' and 7' are shown and are representedas running in an opposite direction to that of the magnetizing-coil Jfor the purpose hereinbefore stated. The coilj is connected by the thewire 7a to the block 71, the coilj with the block 11 by the wire thecoil 7' with the block 2'" by the wire 70 and the coil j with the block6 by the wire k One of these sets of demagnetizingcoils is arranged oneach of the poles of the magnet A. The demagnetizing-coils j,j,j and 7'are made up of wire of different resistance, the coil j containing thegreatest resistance and decreasing in succession to The device operatesas follows: The engine is started and motion is conveyed slowly at firstto the armature of the magneto-machine through the pulley S or othermeans. The rotation of the armature through the field of force of thepermanent magnet A causes a current to be generated therein. Thiscurrent after passing through the commutator is led out through the wire12 and through the magnetizing-coils J J, hereinbefore referred to. Inpassing around the poles of the magnet, and thus reinforcing themagnetism thereof, as before stated, the clectromotive force of themagneto-machine is increased to such an extent that a spark can befurnished at low speed of sufficient intensity to ignite the firstcharge. This spark is substantially equal to the one produced at normalspeed without the reinforcing-coils. As the engine attains its normalrunning speed the electromotive force of the magneto-machine will tendto increase; but the increased speed of the shaft of the armature setsthe centrifugal governor D, the lever G, and switchg in operation. Theswitch as it moves over into the block 2" throws into the shuntcircuithereinbefore described all of the demagnetizing-coils wound on the polesof the field-magnet. The effect of this operation is twofold. First, itlessens the amount of current flowing through the magnetizing-coils,and, secondly, it diminishes the strength of the field-magnets bypartially demagnetizing the poles. As higher speed is attained thesedemagnetizing-coils are successively cutout,

as hereinbefore described, by the switch 9 continuing to move over theblocks i i and 2'" in succession until the switch reaches the block 2'.By this means the resistance in the shunt is gradually cut out, allowinga greater amount of current to pass through the coil 7' which is of suchcharacter that it will exactly equalize and neutralize the effect of themagnetizing-coils J J. The passage of the current through the wire b theprimary coil of the spark-coil, the binding-- post p, spring-arm 0binding-post o, and thence back to the-brush of the magnetomachine isretained closed through a greater part of the engines cycle and is onlybroken upon the cut-away portion on of the cam N reaching the-foot o ofthe spring-arm 0 In keeping the circuit closed and breaking it to createthe spark the core of the spark-coil is held magnetized continually,with the exception of the point when the circuit is broken, thus givinga better spark.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a construction which I desire to use inconnectionwith the governor and switch shown in Fig. 1. m is a solenoid,and 'm' the soft-iron core thereof,held in its outward position by meansof a spring m. The switch-lever R of the automatic switch instead'ofbeing pivoted to a stationary part, as shown in Fig. 1, is pivoted tothe movable core m of the solenoid. The spring is of such strength thatit will hold the core against longitudinal movement when the ordinaryamount of current passes through the solenoid. This device is used as anadditional safeguard in case of a short circuit in the switch at lowspeed or in case of a failure of'the governor to act when the increaseof current through the solenoid causes it to overcome the spring and tooperate the lever and switch upon the governor-ring as a fulcrum, theoperation of the switch throwing in and out the opposing coilshereinbefore mentioned.

The solenoid above described may also be used in place of the governor.

I do not limit myself to the exact construction of parts shown ordescribed.

The danger of the permanent field-magnets A ever losing their magnetismor becoming weakened to an extent which would impair their efficiency isobviated by this device, as the magnets are subject to the action of theseries of field-coils J J at starting and stopping. This device isadapted to be used in connection with electric generators which do nothave permanent magnetic fields. It may also be used and applied toengines which have other forms of igniting devices than the one shownand described in this application.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device, ofan electric generator therefor provided with a series ofdemagnetizing-coils of different resistances and a circuit-controllerconnected with said coils, substantially as described.

2. In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device, ofan electric generator therefor, provided with coils for increasing thenormal magnetism of the field-mag:

nets, a series of coils for demagnetizing said field-magnets, means forcutting in said magnetizing and dcmagnetizing coils, and means o forsuccessively cutting out said demagnetizing-coils, substantially asdescribed.

4. In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device,'ofan electric generator therefor, provided with coils for increas-' ingthe normal magnetism of the field-mag nets, a series ofcoils fordemagnetizing said field-magnets, a circuit-controller for cutting insaidmagnetizing-coils and of said demagnetizing-coils and cutting themout succes sively, and a governor operated by the engine for-actuatingsaid circuit-controller.

5. In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device, ofan electric generator therefor, provided with coils for increasing thenormal magnetism of the field-magnets, and a series ofdemagnetizing-coils of different resistances and a circuit-controllerconnected with said coils, substantially as described. I

6. In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device, ofan electric generator therefor provided with coils for increasing thenormal magnetism of the field-magnets and a series ofdemagnetizing-coils of different resistances, a circuit-controller con-.

nected with said coils and a governor operated by the speed of theengine, operatively connectedwith said circuit-controller, substantiallyas described.

7. In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device, ofan electric gener: ator therefor provided with a magnetizingcoil forincreasing the normal magnetism of the field-magnets and a series ofdemagnetizing-coils, one of which is constructed to neutralize themagnetizing-coil, a circuit-controller connected with said coils, and agovernor for actuating said circuit-controller, substantially asdescribed.

8. In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device, ofan electric generator therefor provided with a magnetizing-coil forincreasing the normal magnetism'of the field-magnets, and a series ofdemagnetizingcoils, of graduated resistances, one of which isconstructed to neutralize the magnetizingcoil, a circuit-controllerconnected with said coils and arranged to cut in separately themagnetizing-coil, and all the demagnetizingcoils and to cut outsuccessively the demagnetizing-coils, and a governor operati'velyconnected with said circuit-controller, substantially as described.

9. In an explosive-engine, the combination,

with an igniting device, of an electric generator therefor provided witha magnetizing-coil and a series of demagnetizing-coils, acircuitcontroller connected with said coils and a governor operated bythe engine connected with said circuit-controller and an independentelectric governor connected with said circuitcontroller, substantiallyas described.

10 In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device, ofan electric generator therefor provided with a magnetizing-coil and aseries of demagnetizing-coils, a circuit-controller provided withcontacts, separately connected to said coils, a movable switch-lever, anelectric governor having a movable wpart pivotally connected tosaidswitch-lever, said pivotal connection forming themormal fulcrum ofsaid lever, and a governor operated by the engine connected with saidlever, substantially as described.

11. In an explosive-engine, the combination with the igniting device, ofan electric generator therefor, provided with auxiliary magnetizing anddemagnetizing, coils, a circuit-controller for said coils and a governorfor operating said circuit-controller, of a cam on a shaft operated bythe engine, a plate adjustable around said shaft, an igniter-operatingdevice mounted on said plate and operatively engaging said cam, andconnections between said igniter-operating device and the ignitingdevice, substantially as described.

'12. In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device, ofan, electric generator therefor provided with an auxiliarymagnetizing-coil for increasing the normal magnetism of thefield-magnets and a series of demagnetizing-coils, a circuit-controllerconnected to said coils, a movable switch-lever for saidcircuit-controller, a governor 0perated by the engine connected to saidswitchlever, a solenoid located in the main circuit of the generator, amovable core therefor and connections between said core and saidswitchlever, substantially as described. I

13. In an explosive-engine, the combination with an igniting device, ofan electric generator therefor provided with an auxiliarymagnetizing-coil for increasing the normal magnetism of thefield-magnets and a series of demagnetizing-coils, a solenoid located inthe main circuit of the generator, a movable core therefor, a springholding said core in one position, a circuit-controller for said coilshaving a movable switch-lever pivoted to said core, and a governoroperated by the engine and operative connections between said governorand said switch-lever located in a difierent plane from its pivotalconnection with said core, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof .I affix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

SAMUEL F. NEILL.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, NInLs LUNDBERG.

